As you probably know, the LSS Writing School is offering free sampler classes to introduce all of you to our various courses.
Roseanne Dowell offered a sampler of her course, Show, Don't Tell. Her assignment was to write a descriptive 100 word piece without using adverbs. This is the best submission:
“I hit it… Oh my God, I hit it!” Claries strained to see the deer despite the fog, but it was gone. She grappled with her seatbelt, breaking three nails before it gave way, then throwing the car door open, scrambled through dense brush and uneven terrain. "He’s gone."
With a sigh of relief she trudged back to the car,but stopped short at the sight. “Not fair, NOT FAIR!” She glared at her dented fender.
“That damned deer hit me and….” Claries burst into laughter. “It was a hit and run!”
By Mary J. Andrews
Ms. Deborah Brodie
Executive Editor
Roaring Brook Press
175 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10010
Dear Ms. Brodie:
I have written a new kind of Chanukah story. Grandma's Dreidel retells the story of Chanukah through the setting of an exciting series of adventures, emphasizing how that ancient tale relates to children today. Many stories tell about the celebration of Chanukah: about dreidels, latkes and of course, presents, about menorahs and miracles. But there are no children's stories showing that through the history of Chanukah comes the true spirit behind the holiday. Grandma’s Dreidel does just that. It goes beyond the symbols of Chanukah to help readers experience its true meaning. Grandma's Dreidel is a short chapter book (8000 words) written for eight to twelve year olds.
The story opens as Mom and Dad, discouraged by their children's lack of true Chanukah spirit, bring out Grandma's old dreidel. 'One short spin and we can open our presents,' think the children. But this was no ordinary dreidel. The children are whisked away to a world of danger and fear, of hiding and fighting, of soldiers and Maccabees. The children experience first hand what it is like to fight for something you truly believe in. Each spin of the dreidel lands them in another perilous chapter of this epic struggle for human rights. The final spin takes them back home, where they share their new understanding of the true meaning of religious freedom.
My writing credits include a story in the anthology Aleatory's Junction (published 10/06 by Double Dragon Press), a second story and two poems accepted in two anthologies (The Healing Touch/Alzheimer's and Through the Eyes of Love), a story the November 2006 issue of Poetica Magazine and an article in the December 2006 issue of Highlights Magazine. In addition, I am the bi-monthly Science columnist for Cecil Child Magazine and a book reviewer for myshelf.com. Additional information about me can be found on my website: www.freewebs.com/marciab .
I am sending Grandma's Dreidel to you as an exclusive submission. I noticed you had an interest in books on Jewish subjects from the Jewish Children's Book Writers' Conference literature. After reading your interview with Barbara Odanaka, I am impressed with the philosophy of Roaring Brook Press and its author-centered attitude. I am particularly interested in working with a smaller press that values its authors. I am seeking not only a home for Grandma's Dreidel, but also for my other children's manuscripts and am, therefore, searching for the supportive environment you describe. I would be honored to have you consider Grandma's Dreidel as an addition to the Roaring Brook Press collection. Please contact me and I will send you the entire manuscript.
I appreciate your interest in Grandma's Dreidel and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Sincerely,
Marcia Berneger is a first grade teacher by day, and a wife, mother of two teenage sons and writer at night. Her writing credits include a story in the anthology Aleatory's Junction (published 10/06 by Double Dragon Press), a second story and two poems accepted in two anthologies (The Healing Touch/Alzheimer's and Through the Eyes of Love), a story the November 2006 issue of Poetica Magazine and an article in the December 2006 issue of Highlights Magazine. In addition, she is the bi-monthly Science columnist for Cecil Child Magazine and a book reviewer for myshelf.com. Additional information about her can be found on her website, www.freewebs.com/marciab.
Below is the best work submitted for Jane Bernard's sampler,
"Beyond the lattice paned window winter trees shake their gnarled : fingers at the leaden sky. The furze, dirty brown, crushed by the rains : struggles to rise. Tomorrow there will be snow and the world will : glisten, but today is the last day of autumn."
Nancy: My husband and I are retired. We live in northeast Pennsylvania on a horse farm with our retired Standard bred race horses and broodmare band. I enjoy carriage driving and have a special Morgan, Nicky.The farmhouse was built in the early 1800's and is one of the oldest homes in the area. We enjoy this historical area and particularly the little town of Montrose, which was once a vacation destination for people from New York and Philadelphia. I am also enjoying Linda Barnett-Johnson's writing friend groups. I find that editing and seeing how others edit your work is a very effective way to improve your writing. Contact Nancy.
ONCE AGAIN, LINDA COOK HAS WRITTEN THE PRIZE WINNING POEM FOR FLORIANA HALL'S COURSE, YOU, ME AND POETRY.
Journey’s End
Alone the lighthouse looms
Part of history past
Standing tall and loyal
A structure made to last
Through foul and furious weather
The lampist tends the light
To keep the flame aglow
He toils both day and night
Warning weary water travelers
Steering them from dangerous shores
The beacon shines the way
Helping to even the score
For those who cannot catch the beam
Pirates, sailors, or captains
Lost and missing, a watery grave
Amid the creatures of the sea.
L.R. Cook
